MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The president of the Grand Strand Humane Society’s Board of Directors resigned from her position during a meeting Wednesday night.
Elena Nicholas walked out of the meeting after a vocal call for her removal, according to News13 Reporter Abbey O’Brien, who was in attendance.
Nicholas’ resignation comes weeks after now-former Grand Strand Humane Society Executive Director Suzanne Roman announced her resignation. Roman told News13 she was concerned about decisions the board was making.
“I felt several of the recent board decisions were not ethical and not really conditions I could work in,” Roman said to News13 in an interview in February.
Susan Means, who also served on the board of directors, resigned Wednesday night.
Carol Wallauer was chosen to be the board’s president on Wednesday after Nicholas’ resignation and said changes need to be made.
“We are going to be very transparent with the public and very transparent as a board. We are all going to work together to make decisions and we are all going to work together to make Grand Strand [Humane Society] a better place,” said Wallauer.
Issues range from decisions being made without the board’s full knowledge and the possible euthanasia of puppies.
“It’s totally unacceptable for the shelter, which has taken a stand as ‘no kill,’ to tell staff that you move these puppies out or we will kill him,” said Wallauer. “Not acceptable.”
Myrtle Beach Mayor, Brenda Bethune, as well as CIty Manager, John Pedersen, and some council members were also at Wednesday night’s meeting.
“We too have concerns because we have a huge investment in the Grand Strand Humane Society,” said Bethune. “And we would like to see things get resolved in a rational and professional manner.”
About $230,000 of taxpayer money goes to the shelter every year. Bethune asked the board to bring in an independent consultant to “evaluate the processes, procedures, the organization and make necessary recommendations on the structure.”
The Grand Strand Humane Society helped more than 2,300 new animals that entered its facility in 2017, according to statistics from the shelter. Approximately, 1,034 were adopted. The shelter’s live-release rate for 2017 stood at 92 percent.